POWER OF
BLOGS

Paying Employees during a Shutdown due to Natural Disasters and Inclement Weather

Q: Do I need to pay my employees if my company has closed or temporarily shut down operations due to a natural disaster or inclement weather?

A: It depends.

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and in anticipation of the upcoming winter snow season, many employers are questioning whether they need to pay employees when their company cannot open due to a natural disaster or inclement weather.

Whether an employee needs to be paid will typically turn on whether the employee is exempt or nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).